I've been "lurking" on Beechtalk since before I bought an A-36 Bonanza last fall. At this point, I guess I'd better introduce myself (or at least introduce my plane...probably a lot more interesting). Here goes.
I've been flying since the early 80's, and have owned two Mooneys (a 1967 "E" model and a 1983 "J" model) prior to the Bonanza. I also fly and race gliders, so I have a DG-200 glider and fly our club's AgWagon when needed.
Once my two daughters started to get too cramped in the "J" model, it was time to move up to the A-36, which I bought with the same partner with whom I used to own the last Mooney. To be completely honest, the daughters would still fit in the Mooney, but the amount of luggage they now bring has ballooned beyond the point of reasonableness. But I digress...
The "new" plane is a 1999 A-36, with mostly original paint and interior (still in very good shape). The previous owner appears to have taken great care of the plane as we've had almost no mechanical issues in the 8 months or so that we've owned it (knocking on wood...).
Panel-wise, we've got the 430W/530W combination, along with the KFC-225 AP/FD. The ADS-B In/Out upgrade was done before we bought her, so we're in good shape as we get closer to the 2020 deadline. It's nice to have the weather and traffic in the cockpit, too, although we also have a Stratus that we use to get info on the Ipad.
I've flown her about 65 hours so far. I'm at the point where I'm comfortable in the plane, but still learning some of the finer points, particularly with the different "feel" of the plane under various loading conditions (the Bonanza has a lot more "difference" between light and heavy than the Mooney or other airplanes I've flown). The forum here has been an incredible resource, along with the ABS. It's awesome to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable owner base whose brains are open for the picking.
IFR approaches are wonderfully stable and predictable if flown "by the numbers."
Last weekend I flew my first "real" trip in the Bonanza. From Houston to Phoenix (non-stop, solo), then picked up my daughter and two nephews for the return to Houston. On the way over, I ran LOP burning about 12 GPH at 140 KTAS. I had a 20-ish knot headwind, so flight time (non stop) was about 6:30. I landed with 22 gallons still in the tanks (started with 104 gallons including the tip tanks). On the way back, the kids weren't going to make it 5+ hours non-stop, so we planned a fuel stop near the halfway point. In "go fast" mode, we flew ROP at ~16 GPH, 160 KTAS. Loaded up with luggage, full main fuel, and 4 people we were still well below gross, and there was enough room in the plane for everyone to be comfortable. A/C was a "must have" and proved its worth on this flight...it was 100 degrees on the ground at Pecos, TX at noon when we landed.
Here are some pictures of the plane. Thanks for providing an immense amount of knowledge here on the forum.
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